I traded up on a guitar yesterday from the local music store, Weed Patch Music, here in town. My excitement to own a very nice instrument, a Morgan Monroe, dreadnought style, M-20-V, which I will own the rest of my life, kept me playing most of the day, as I wanted to become familiar with it’s personality.
By last night, I was feeling the repercussions of day long, new guitar playing. My forearms were tight, my wrists felt stiff, and my fingertips sore, and a bit numb. You would think, as a body worker, I would know better than to immerse myself in nonstop activity that included no stretching, especially where my fingers, hands, wrists and forearms are concerned!
What can I say? My excitement made me forgetful. Yet this leads me to the reminder that we can overdo a good thing. Playing my instruments is my way of destressing. Unfortunately, this morning, parts of me are stressed from my zealous fingerpicking.
So, today will be spent stretching and working out the tension in my forearms and giving my fingers and wrists a rest. I will admire my new guitar from afar and remember this lesson I have learned.
Never overdo, and remember to take breaks and stretch!
